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Adora Trails residents press Gilbert for action after roaming cattle incidents
Summary
Dozens of residents described repeated incidents of cattle in Adora Trails at the Gilbert Town Council meeting Jan. 28, calling for coordinated action with tribal and county authorities, stronger enforcement and fencing after reports of property damage and near-misses with people and vehicles.
Dozens of residents of the Adora Trails neighborhood told the Gilbert Town Council on Jan. 28 that roaming cattle have become a daily safety and property-damage problem and urged the town to act with county and tribal partners.
The most emphatic public comments came during the Communications from Citizens period, where residents described cattle entering yards, blocking sidewalks and streets, trampling landscaping and creating safety risks for children, drivers and people with limited mobility. “A herd of about 40 cattle just plowed through right where I was walking,” resident Steven Bonar said. “I was concerned for my safety … what if it had been one of my kids walking to school?”
Speakers recounted repeated incidents across multiple streets and parks. “We pay $4,000 a month for cow cleanup out of our own pockets,” resident Bill Ritz said, asking the town for a long-term solution. Andrea Cole itemized landscaping losses, saying she had six pygmy palms destroyed and estimating replacement and planting costs at about $4,600. Damon Allen described an encounter in which a large bull charged within six feet of him and his dog and said he “was in fear for my life.”
Residents asked the council to pursue several steps: strengthen local ordinances so livestock cannot roam neighborhoods; work with Maricopa County and the Gila River Indian Reservation to secure perimeter fencing or a “no-fence” district; improve enforcement and impoundment processes; and clarify who bears cleanup and repair costs. Several speakers also urged clearer, faster communication from the town about what actions are being taken.
Several speakers and commenters referenced state and county legal frameworks in their remarks, including mentions of “Arizona Revised Statutes 3-13-11,” “Arizona Revised Statute 3-14-21,” and the Maricopa County “no fence district” maps; residents urged the town to use every available legal tool. Others urged coordinated infrastructure fixes such as more robust perimeter fencing where feasible and identification of repeat entry points where cattle cross into neighborhoods.
Council members acknowledged the volume and urgency of the remarks. Council member Chuck Bongiovanni and Vice Mayor Bobby Buckley attended a recent community town hall on the matter and were thanked by speakers for their outreach. Council members asked staff to follow up: Vice Mayor Buckley requested continued information sharing and a possible study session on related ordinances and interjurisdictional options. The council did not take any formal vote on policy changes during the meeting.
Why this matters: Residents say the issue affects daily life, school routes, trails and play areas, and creates the risk of vehicle collisions and personal injury. Multiple residents warned that without further action a serious injury or fatal collision is likely.
Next steps noted in the meeting included continued town coordination with police and public works, and requests from residents that the town pursue talks with the Gila River Reservation, Maricopa County and the HOA to identify immediate mitigations and longer-term fencing or legal remedies.
